Getting More from Your Banker

Negotiating Techniques that Keep Funds Flowing

We frequently receive phone calls from clients that are unhappy with their banking
relationships. We also hear from bankers who want to keep their clients' business
but are not able to obtain the information necessary to approve additional funds.
These situations may cause a company substantial financial hardship. Fortunately,
there are some simple rules to follow that will help you get more from your banker.

Know Where You Stand

To get more from your banker, always negotiate when you are in a position of power. This usually occurs when your
business had a good year.

If your business is having a poor year, turn it around so that you have the advantage.
Inform the banker what happened and be prepared to present your plan to turn it
around and how you are succeeding with that plan.

Meet with your key management and CPA before meeting with the banker to make sure
that everyone is conveying the same message.

Know What You are Negotiating

To get more from your banker, remember that bank loans are negotiable. Certain key ratios, debt to equity, total equity and
borrowable assets (e.g. deferred income taxes) can be tailored to fit your needs.

Negotiate the level of service (e.g. audit, review, compilation) that your bank
is requiring from your outside accountants. Usually, audits are done for loans over
$10 million. You may also be able to have a compilation with footnote disclosure
if the total loans outstanding are less than $1 million.

Sometimes it helps to get competitive quotes from competing banks. This will give
you an idea of what the banking environment is like (it continually changes) and
what terms are available. You can use these quotes when you negotiate.

Be prepared to subordinate some of your shareholder loans to the bank. If you subordinate
(e.g. bank will be paid before you if the company liquidates) your loans, the bank
will treat it as additional equity in the business.

Know Your Bank and Your Banker

Getting more from your banker includes meeting with them at least twice a year.

If your banker knows your business, they will better be able to structure your loan.

Bankers have loan committees to whom they report. They want to understand at the
onset of the approval process of what anticipated loans you are desiring so they
are not required to go back to the committee.

Sometimes the way that you conduct your business changes. Long cycles between ordering
goods and payment by the customer, or shipping goods to overseas customers may imply
that you need to talk to a trade financing specialist at the bank.

Always deal with a vice president at the bank. Usually your loan size must be over
$1 million.

Be careful of selling to government agencies. If the invoicing paperwork is not
correct, it may lead to long delays in getting paid. Additionally, many banks may
not finance receivables from government agencies.

When negotiating with new large customers, run it by your banker.

The payment terms that you have with your customer may negatively impact your borrowing
base.

The banker could develop a loan structure (e.g. a trade cycle deal) that fits in
with what you are negotiating.

Have the Necessary Information Available When You Meet

To get more from your banker, have a cash flow projection ready that indicates your anticipated rate of growth
for the coming year and the amounts that you anticipate borrowing.

By having a cash flow plan, you can monitor your business on an ongoing basis and
make changes when events are not going according to plan.

They also highlight when a business is growing too quickly. Although sales are necessary,
too much growth will put your Company in a cash strapped position and also place
too much risk for the bank.

Inform your banker of tax strategies that may dilute the capital of the Company
and put it into the individual shareholders pocket.

Paying year-end bonuses will reduce the corporate tax rate. However, if you intend
to borrow from the bank, you may need to lend some of the money back before your
year-end financial statements are presented.

If you are planning to buy-out one of your shareholders, you can discuss it with
your banker to see how long it will take to finance the buy-out.

If you are planning a major acquisition (e.g purchase of a building, large equipment
or another company) discuss it with your banker. He may be able to provide the necessary
financing.

How Can We Help You?

Introduce bankers to you who have worked with us closely.

Help you prepare your strategy when we meet with your banker.

Prepare dashboards and management reports that will assist you in running your business
on a daily or weekly basis.

Assist you in preparing cash flow forecasts for the coming year that you can use
as a gauge on how well your business is operating.

Design business processes that may result in substantial cash flow increases.

ARTICLES

Transformational Leadership Series

What is a leader? Or better, what is a leader's role in an organization? If the answers to these questions could be culminated to one single sentence it would be: ...

Will the IRS Collect on Cryptocurrency?

The digital age has changed the way the world operates. Just about every industry imaginable has been affected by technology already. That includes how we use...

Trump Calls for Complete Overhaul of Tax System

Calling it the "biggest tax cut in history," President Donald Trump last week laid out his administration's plan to completely overhaul the nation's tax system. ...

Stock Dividends or Buybacks?

Anyone who invests in the stock market wants to make money. Of course, the most traditional way to do this is buying a stock low and selling it after it increases...

The Most Valuable Coins in the U.S.

Are you a coin collector? Maybe you're looking for a new hobby and valuable coins sounds like it could be right up your alley. Some collectors do it simply for a hobby, ...

World's Most Expensive Gemstones

Anyone who appreciates fine jewelry is always on the lookout for that perfect piece to add to his or her collection. Whether you collect for a hobby or for business, ...